Jazz at the Vaults: Iain Ballamy - Saxophones

Renowned in Europe as the "Fantastic Englishman", Ballamy established himself playing alongside notables including Hermeto Pascoal, the late Gil Evans, George Coleman, Dewey Redman, Mike Gibbs and the New York Composers Orchestra.

Touring extensively world-wide he has appeared at most international festivals and venues. Ballamy can be heard on over 40 CDs. A long time collaborator with Django Bates, since the days of Loose Tubes and Bill Bruford's Earthworks he is currently a member of Django's 'Human Chain' and 'Delightful Precipice'.

Parallel to his international jazz career, Ballamy has pursued his interest in world music, playing concerts in India and Europe with the Karnataka College of Percussion. He has performed and forged strong working relationships with renowned musicians from Hungary, Norway, Spain, Sudan, Brazil and beyond...

 His distinctive saxophone voice can be heard in his improvisations for the BBC Radio 4 play 'Signal to Noise' by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean, the movie 'Legend' and a documentary 'Joseph Losey - the Man with Four Names'.
Ballamy recently scored the award winning film Mirrormask directed by Dave McKean for the Jim Henson company.

In 2001 he was awarded the BBC Radio 3 special award for innovation at the British Jazz awards.

He is also a specialist tutor at the Royal Academy and Trinity College of music in London.

The CD by Quercus which features award winning folk singer June Tabour and pianist Huw Warren has proved both a critical and commercial success leading to much touring. Iain did take a break though to celebrate his 50th birthday at Kings Place, London with his acclaimed quintet, Anorak which was recorded and broadcast by BBC Radio 3’s Jazz Line Up. 

Iain has also performed “Concerto for Stan Getz” with the BBC Concert Orchestra, Gary Carpenter’s “SET” with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and a piece specially written for him with the Liverpool Symphony Orchestra.